NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

checks in all sections of the country convince U. S. Civil Service officials that there are thousands of qualified work¬ ers who have not yet been reached. They constitute a vast untapped reservoir to be drawn upon by radio. iNIonths in the future men taking apprenticeship courses in Navy Yards will be added to the supply of mechanics. All 45,000 U. S. Post Offices are currently displaying two colored posters which set forth the urgent need for skilled workers. PROMOTION FOR CHILDREN Not generally known until Major Edney Ridge of WBIG mailed a copy, is the fact that the story of radio was brought to vast numbers of school children through¬ out the land in “My Weekly Reader” for the week of November 25-29, 1940. “I\Iy Weekly Reader,” widely syndicated, is highly regarded by educators and children alike. In simple language it told the whole story of radio. Here it is: “RADIO H.4S A BIRTHDAY “The radio is 20 years old. It is having a big birthday party from November 11 to 30. “Many people are helping with the birthday party. “They are singing over the radio. They are telling how radio has grown in 20 years. “Not many people had radios then. Not many people knew about radios. Today people everywhere have radios. There are radios in many schools. “The radio brings news to people. It brings music, talks, and plays. The radio helps many people. It helps in many ways. “The radio helps people in cities. It helps people in the country. It helps people in other countries. “The radio helps policemen. It helps men working in forests. The radio helps airplane pilots. It helps people on big ships. It helps people everywhere. How does the radio help these people? “Every year, the w'ork of the radio grow's and grows. “Today some people have radios with television. “Television is somewhat like moving pictures. “People look into the radio. They see the people who sing and talk over the radio. “Some people get radio newspapers. Their radios put news on paper.” With three pictures the story occupied the entire second page of the little newspaper. On the back page were eight questions which tested the children’s understanding of the radio birthday story. NEW MEXICO LEGISLATION A. R. Hebenstreit, KGGAI, Albuquerque, has accepted an appointment as legislative contact man at the New Mexico capital. (NAB Reports, p. 32.) FEDERAL LEGISLATION (New Bills) HOUSE H. R. 2074 (Bland, D., Va.) COMMUNTC.4TIONS ACT— To amend section 3S3 (b) of the Communications .Act of 1934, as amended. Referred to Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. HOUSE RESOLUTION H. Res. 51 (Wiggles WORTH. R,, Mass.) COMMUNTC.ATIONS — Authorizing an investigation of the Federal Communications Commission. Referred to Committee on Rules. STATE LEGISLATION Colorado: S. 210 (Veltri) radio INTERFERENCE CONTROL— To prohibit the maintenance, use, or operation of any devices which create electrical interference with radio reception. Referred to Committee on State Affairs and Public Lands. S. 211 (Veltri) RADIO INTERFERENCE CONTROL— To prohibit the maintenance, use, or operation of any devices which create electrical interference with radio reception. Referred to Committee on State Affairs and Public Lands. S. 231 (Crowley) COPYRIGHTS — To aid in effectuating the Federal Copyright Laws by removing certain monopolistic abuses and activities practiced under guise of copyrights by price fixing combinations, monopolies and pools. Referred to Committee on State Affairs and Public Lands. Massachusetts : S. 126 (Pet. of McMahon) RADIO— ADVERTISING— ALCO¬ HOLIC BEVER.AGES — To prevent the advertising of the manu¬ facture or sale of alcoholic beverages by radio. Referred to Com¬ mittee on Constitutional Law. S. 193 (Twombly) libel .AND SL.ANDER — Relative to actions for libel and slander. Referred to Committee on Constitutional Law. New York: A. 107 (Same as S. 122) (Reoux) EMPLOYMENT AGEN¬ CIES — Clarifies provisions relative to return of fees by employment agencies. Referred to Committee on Judiciary. S. 122 (Same as A. 107) (Feinberg) EMPLOYMENT AGEN¬ CIES — Clarifies provisions relative to return of fees by employment agencies. Referred to Committee on General Laws. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FLY DISCUSSES MONOPOLY REPORT Asked at a press conference early this week about the status of the FCC’s monopoly report, James Lawrence Fly, Chairman, said that it is under study by the Commission with a view to early action. Mr. Fly told the newsmen that he had informed the House ■Appropriations Committee “that it may come out next month.” However, the Chairman stated that that was merely a general observation “particularly since the Commission has a pretty heavy schedule.” Asked if that meant the monopoly report might he made in February, the Chairman said “it might be in January.” He said he knows of no reason “for a substantial delay.” ' Mr. Fly in further discussion of the monopoly report said that the Commission could do any one of three things: (1) It could adopt the Committee report, (2) write an addition to it, or (3) write an entirely new report. Chairman Fly told the reporters that the members of the Com¬ mission are planning to witness demonstrations of new television developments in the New York area on January 24 and 25. He said he hoped that they would not have to go to Schenectady, and had requested that the trip be consolidated as much as possible. Discussing the progress of FM authorizations, the Chairman said that there had been expeditious grants and a sizeable application list. January 17, 1941 — 49